We found the following complaints for PONTIAC GRAND PRIX (1996)
Read complaints for PONTIAC GRAND PRIX (1996)
Saturday march 8, 2003, i was on my way home from shopping with my 4-year-old son when the driver side airbag of my 1996 pontiac grand am exploded in my face. The deployment of the bag forced my arm back into my face snapping my head back and completely disorienting me. Once i regained my bearings i realized i was northbound in the southbound lanes of winston churchill blvd. In mississauga. The next morning i went to the hospital to have my arm and neck looked at. Fortunately my arm wasn't broken. It was however severely bruised and still non functional. My neck was still very stiff and sore. I am currently undergoing treatment for whiplash and ligament damage to my arm.since the date of the accident i have found out a few things regarding my 1996 pontiac grand am.1- there is a sensor/module under the carpet under the front passenger seat that when in contact with moisture can corrode and cause the airbags to deploy. 2- my firewall had been leaking water under my carpet to the area where this sensor/module is located. My firewall is so rusted it can?t be repaired. 3- gm considers this a maintenance issue.i contacted transport canada to report the incident and was informed that they are currently investigating 1995-1999 pontiac grand am's for water leaking into the car through the firewall and pooling on the floor. This has caused ?many? airbags to deploy without warning. I have also read many similar reports on the nhtsa website.a local gm dealership had my car for 17 days while gm investigated but in the end i was told that the module/sensor was too corroded to read the information stored in it. I have requested the module/sensor back.ken locke from gm contacted me he said gm was willing to do something for me.gm will repair my airbag system if i agree to two things. 1- i pay for and repair the water leak in my car (the irrepairable one) 2- i sign a release stating that this matter is closed and i have no further claims pertaining to this matter..
Vehicle hit a tree at 40-45mph. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy, resulting in minor injuries. Vehicle was tatalled. Manufacturer will be notified.
10 seconds after vehicle hit curb at 12 mph driverside and passengerside airbags deployed unexpectedly.dealer has been notified. *ml
Failure of the ignition wires & plugs for the second time in 3 years.
Vechicle abs light came on all interior and external lights dimmed, once vechicle was shut off it would not restart. Battery was replaced it worked fine for about 1 week. I was informed the alternator was not putting out enough amps, so the alternator was replaced and 1 week later same problem again so alternator was replaced a 2nd time. That same day the problem was repeated. It seems when the abs light comes on all the power from the battery is drained.
Vehicle on 4th alternator at 63,000 miles.alternator failure in this vehicle can occur suddenly, with little or no warning, at any speed, leaving driver with limited ability to control vehicle.voluntary manufacturer recall 8/99, spark plug wires replaced to better handle electrical loads.problem improved but not resolved.other vehicle owners have same experience and complaints including at nhtsa website.vehicle model & year with 3.4 litre engine unable to sustain normal electrical loads.alternator failure occurs every 1-2 years, always when air conditioner operating.manufacturer refused to cover most recent replacement under "secret warranty".repairs with rebuilt alternator cost nearly $800 excluding tow, car rental & cell phone charges.vehicle blocking lane of traffic on major arterial during rush hour.frequency of alternator failure is clearly not normal wear or use.received no written response from prior written complaints to pontiac.ts
Vechicle abs light came on all interior and external lights dimmed, once vechicle was shut off it would not restart. Battery was replaced it worked fine for about 1 week. I was informed the alternator was not putting out enough amps, so the alternator was replaced and 1 week later same problem again so alternator was replaced a 2nd time. That same day the problem was repeated. It seems when the abs light comes on all the power from the battery is drained.
Alternator failed.
Horn works sometimes.
Horn requires excessive force to activate.
Intermittent stalling at very low speeds while turning/ when slowly accelerating from a stop.
Vehicle installed with wrong spark plugs which caused damage to the plenium pack.
Car stalls out while driving.i have almost killed myself an other drivers because of this.it is also hard to start.
Problem is with factory passenger's key ii security system. Vehicle willmost of the time, but will not start at times. The owner's manual states that if this occurs wait three minutes then it will start exactly three minutes later. I have talked with several other people who own the same type of vehicle and have or have had the same problem. I spoke with a service department supervisor at a pontiac dealer and he stated that he has replaced a "barrel full" of the key cylinders and not the security system module. It appears that in an area this small with an incident rate that high thatthere is a definite problem in which pontiac needs to investigate.
Engine was overheating during normal operation ofvehicle.consumer took vehicle to a dealership and replacedradiator cap because of a defective spring.then, when traveling at approximately 70 mph, engine stalled suddenly. Took all ofconsumer's effort to bringvehicle toside ofroad.dealership stated thathead gasket was considered to be defective which caused the engine to stall. Private mechanicwas currently rebuilding/remanufacturing the engine.
Would be driving vehicle when it would start to hesitate at 40mph.problem was sporadic. Would not be able to pass another vehicle. Took to dealer numerous times for problem. Mechanic could not locatecause.
The contact owns a 1999 pontiac grand prix. The vehicle caught fire twice where drops of engine oil fell on the exhaust manifold. The fires occurred three days after purchasing the vehicle.the contact was responsible for the repair cost of $2000. The contact was not aware of recall# 09v116000, component: engine and engine cooling when the failure occurred. The manufacturer stated that they would research the failure and call him; however, he has not received a call. When thethird fire occurred the contact was able to extinguish the fire; although, he could have been injured. The dealer andmanufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was rendered inoperable and to tow it to a dealer. The contact requested that the dealer assume the towing cost; however, they denied to do so. There was no report filed with the fire department. He has made several attempts to speak with the manufacturer and has been unsuccessful. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine was overheating during normal operation ofvehicle.consumer took vehicle to a dealership and replacedradiator cap because of a defective spring.then, when traveling at approximately 70 mph, engine stalled suddenly. Took all ofconsumer's effort to bringvehicle toside ofroad.dealership stated thathead gasket was considered to be defective which caused the engine to stall. Private mechanicwas currently rebuilding/remanufacturing the engine.
Crankshaft gasket leak.
Consumer complains the heating system has become inoperable.inspection of the failure led to the discovery that the vehicle is in need of a new engine.mechanic can not explain why this occured.*jg
Car engine cuts off while driving to another location.
Vehicle stalled in the intersection. Yh
Intermittent stalling.
Engine caught on fire while driving vehicle. Also, engine check light came on.
Car was parked and car caught on fire which came from the truck , please describe .
Vehicle stalled in the intersection. Yh
I began to have engine problems with my vehicle at 36,000 miles.i decided to trace the vin # through carfax.when i did i found that the odometer has been rolled back 71,000 miles or more.the car dealer does not want to handle the problem.
Vehicle without warning causing power brakes and power steering failure.
Intermittent stalling.
Engine uses up to one to two quarts of oil between oil changes.no outward signs of leak.
Oxygen sensor replaced.
On two different occasions the engine light comes on and the vehicle stalled when it comes to stop due to map and oxygen sensor failure. Yh
On two different occasions the engine light comes on and the vehicle stalled when it comes to stop due to map and oxygen sensor failure. Yh
Vehicle hesitates on acceleration due to egr valve failure. Yh
Vehicle hesitates on acceleration due to egr valve failure. Yh
Cooling fan relay switch replaced.
Antenna malfunctions due to broken antenna tape. Yh
Antenna malfunctions due to broken antenna tape. Yh
Fog lamp shorted out from moisture.
Both headlight lenses have fallen off, one was original the other was replaced previously under warranty for the same reason.nlm
Water is filling up on the rear tail light lens which is causing a electrical short. Contacted dealer, and they are aware of this problem, but vehicle is not under warranty.the left rear tail lense was filled with water and was replaced.next, both left and right tail lenses were replaced for the same problem. Again, water entered the tail lense for the third time.gm is aware of the problem, and infact gm had redesigned the tail lense before due to this problem.
Turn signal chime is distracting. *sd
Fuel pump failed. Yh
Fuel pump failed. Yh
Vehicle running poor and smoking due to defective injection. Yh
Vehicle running poor and smoking due to defective injection. Yh
While the consumer was working on the vehicle noticed that gas was coming from under the vehicle.consumer stated that the gas tank had a leak.*mr
The vehicle experienced a gas leaked.the gas tank started to leak across the entire rear weld seam after being filled.gas dripped from the tank at the corner(s), next to the exhaust pipe.the mechanic that replaced the tank/pump/sending unit, said the entire weld seam leaked. *scc
The instrument lights flash, get dim and sometimes go out completely causing driver not to know how fast they are traveling.recall notice not recieved due to vin.
After stopping at a stop sign, lost control of steering while making left turn. Car continued, ran over a mail box and came to rest in a flower bed. When tow truck arrived and picked car up, tow truck driver noticed that engine cradle had fallen down and disabled the steering. Mechanic and insurance adjuster later agreed that the engine cradle bolts had sheared off.
Consumer was driving 65 mph car kicked into neutral the engine was revving.the tachometer maxed out and car stopped.dealer said that there was a faulty valve in the transmission.
Loss of power at 60 mph. After stopping vehicle would not shift out of overdrive. Grinding. After evaluation by mechanic, metal shavings were found in transmission fluid. Cost of repairs will exceed $1,500.
Consumer was driving 65 mph car kicked into neutral the engine was revving.the tachometer maxed out and car stopped.dealer said that there was a faulty valve in the transmission.
Was going 30mph & had applied brakes. Vehicle kept going. Low traction light came on. Vehicle hit one curb & then another curb before coming to stop on ramp. Second time at 20mph off ramp. Hit brakes, vehicle failed to slow down. Pressed harder. Abs light came on & stayed. Heard a snap & rotor broke; wheel & vehicle went into spin.
Transmission shift linkages experienced problems, required tightening. *mjs
Seat belt buckle failure, two of three in back seat have failed in last 4 months now today front passenger seat failed. Luckly these were discovered before an accident or other incident occurred that could have resulted in sever injury or death to someone.
Driver's side passive restraint seat belt does not latch into the buckle.manufacturer not contacted.
My husband and myself were involved in a high impact rear end collision.due to the seat back failure my seat belt did not restraint me.i am now a grand maul epileptic due to my head injuries.i also suffer from neck and shoulder pain.
While driving about 50 mph , vehicle was involved in a collisionand the restraints did not retract upon impact. Passenger was injured.the dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
Front driver seat is not completely stationary it moves slightly frontward and backward when driver changes position possibly due to poor design.nlm
My husband and myself were involved in a high impact rear end collision.due to the seat back failure my seat belt did not restraint me.i am now a grand maul epileptic due to my head injuries.i also suffer from neck and shoulder pain.
Failureof the driver's and passenger's side seatbacks,when making a sudden stop the seat will move, the passenger's side door stricker is missing.
While driving at 20 mph, the consumer noticed the seat was getting extremely warm.the vehicle was taken to a mechanic and it was discovered that the electric seat motor was becoming red hot, and interior nearly caught on fire. Vehicle was brought in at precisely the right time.by the time the mechanic got to the motor he was unable to touch it withhis bare hands. He had to put on insulated gloves and disconnect the motor.consumer saw smoke coming from under the seat and thats when she drove to a mechanic. The mechanic saw the smoke and unplugged the seat with some pliers. The mechanic stated if the consumer would've took any longer getting there, the vehicle would have caught fire.*ph
The brake caliper upper retaining bolt would fall out allowing the brake caliper to lodge against and lockup the wheel.
Front brake rotors are prematurely wearing.when applyingbrakes at high speedvehicle vibrates, andpedal nearly goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Consumer states vehicle is very hard to stop at speeds over 35 mph rotors have been replaced 3 times since vehicle was purchased, and need replacement again at the present time.
Consumer has had a problem with power doors/locks every since she has had the vehicle. Consumerwas locked inside for thirty minutes. Also, power steering and the brakes were not working. She held the emergency brake down, jamming it.
Vechicle abs light came on all interior and external lights dimmed, once vechicle was shut off it would not restart. Battery was replaced it worked fine for about 1 week. I was informed the alternator was not putting out enough amps, so the alternator was replaced and 1 week later same problem again so alternator was replaced a 2nd time. That same day the problem was repeated. It seems when the abs light comes on all the power from the battery is drained.
Was going 30mph & had applied brakes. Vehicle kept going. Low traction light came on. Vehicle hit one curb & then another curb before coming to stop on ramp. Second time at 20mph off ramp. Hit brakes, vehicle failed to slow down. Pressed harder. Abs light came on & stayed. Heard a snap & rotor broke; wheel & vehicle went into spin.
Abs brakes are subject to intermittent failure, causing the pedal to go to the floor whenapplying the abs brakes.
Abs brake failure, the pedal goes to the floor and abs light come on yellow, low tractionlightcame on, and the pedal is low.in for to replace abs sensors.
My father, jimmie g. Nall, originally leased this vehicle; at lease end, he purchased the vehicle for me.while my father had it, he had it serviced regularly on schedule, including having the oil changed every 3000 miles.when the car was purchased and i became the main driver it had a little over 18k miles.it now has 34496.nothing should be wrong with this car.i should not have had to make any major repairs yet.there has not been enough wear and tear for major damage or repairs.the transmission is now starting to slip at times.the check engine lightcomes on then will go off after a little while.the temp. Will go up rapidly (230) not to a dangerous level, then drop back down (210) after i turn on the heater.everyday when starting, i have to turn the ignition switch at least 3 times before it will start.while driving, suddenly it seems like the car is in neutral for a split second and the odometer will jump slightly.i have had the trans. Fluid checked and it is full.we have replaced the alternator once, the battery twice, the ignition switch once.for as few miles as this car has, all this should not have gone wrong, and i really don't have the money to be replacing parts and making repairs on an almost new vehicle.the back brakes rumble, especially when after backing up and coming to a stop. I have always heard this rumbling. I feel this car is basically a lemon, but i don't feel i should go and trade the grand prix in, for 34500 miles, as stated before, there should not be anything wrong with this car!
Consumer states when brakeare applied ther is delay in braking, a popping noise is heard andthen the brake will ingage. Owner has had vehicle repaired through a dealer . They can not duplicate the problem
Brakes are not operable.
Upon inspection of the tiresconsumer noticedrear brakesdid not operate due to rusted rotors and inoperativecalipers/ pads. Consumer has contacted dealer , anddealer replaced the calipers/rotors and pads. Please provide any further details.
My car currently has 28,000 miles on it.i have had to have the rotors replaced 3 times!
Front brake rotors are prematurely wearing.when applyingbrakes at high speedvehicle vibrates, andpedal nearly goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Consumer states vehicle is very hard to stop at speeds over 35 mph rotors have been replaced 3 times since vehicle was purchased, and need replacement again at the present time.
Brake rotorsrusted out, causing them to flake away when the brakes were applied.dealer has been contacted, repaired at owner's cost. *ml
At 26,000 miles rear rotors were warped and rusty. Had them replaced. At 34,000 rotors are wearing out also.
Front brake rotors are prematurely wearing.when applyingbrakes at high speedvehicle vibrates, andpedal nearly goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Consumer states vehicle is very hard to stop at speeds over 35 mph rotors have been replaced 3 times since vehicle was purchased, and need replacement again at the present time.
Brake rotors continually failing causing noise.
Dealer says rear rotors were unsafe to drive due to rusting. Please keep in mind the car is garage kept, still has the "new-car look" and only has 17000 miles on it. Dealer claims "lack of use" as reason for deterioration of brake rotors. In my opinion, either faulty materials, poor design or a combination of both is what lead to this unsafe condition. Dealer says problem is not covered by warranty.
Brake warninglight illuminated due to loose brake line.
The contact owns a 1996 pontiac grand prix. While driving 25 mph, the power steering malfunctioned. It was extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel to the left. The contact had to exert force upon the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 106,998. The vin was not available.
After stopping at a stop sign, lost control of steering while making left turn. Car continued, ran over a mail box and came to rest in a flower bed. When tow truck arrived and picked car up, tow truck driver noticed that engine cradle had fallen down and disabled the steering. Mechanic and insurance adjuster later agreed that the engine cradle bolts had sheared off.
The vehicle was in motion and the steering wheel locked up, causing the consumer to have a near accident.
The vehicle was in motion and the steering wheel locked up, causing the consumer to have a near accident.
Consumer has had a problem with power doors/locks every since she has had the vehicle. Consumerwas locked inside for thirty minutes. Also, power steering and the brakes were not working. She held the emergency brake down, jamming it.
The consumerexperienced intermittent loss of power steering whenturning left. A recall was issued for this make/model and year, howeve this vehiclewas not included in the recall due to vin.
While driving 10 mph and making a right turn, the inner tie rod on passenger's tire broke off, causing vehicle to be inoperative.
Dt:around september 21, 2005 the consumer started experiencing difficultyturning to the right.it was like the steering wheel was locked.the problem was ongoing when trying to turn right.when the consumer tookvehicle to be repaired, the mechanic told her that the rack and pinion needed replaced. Also told her that there was a recall for this issue on her type of vehicle. There was nhtsa recall03v527000 and gm recallrecall 03062.when she contacted the manufacturer,they told her that this vehicle was not included due to vin.
Steering rack failure (40k miles). Steering wheel would not turn left *at all* at a dead stop; extremely stubborn at speed.no warning(s)/indications of impending failure. No belt squeals, ps fluid level ok. L-r turning was fine, then not.coincidentall
Undercarriage noise.
After stopping at a stop sign, lost control of steering while making left turn. Car continued, ran over a mail box and came to rest in a flower bed. When tow truck arrived and picked car up, tow truck driver noticed that engine cradle had fallen down and disabled the steering. Mechanic and insurance adjuster later agreed that the engine cradle bolts had sheared off.
Driver's side door rattles.
Consumer has had a problem with power doors/locks every since she has had the vehicle. Consumerwas locked inside for thirty minutes. Also, power steering and the brakes were not working. She held the emergency brake down, jamming it.
Failureof the driver's and passenger's side seatbacks,when making a sudden stop the seat will move, the passenger's side door stricker is missing.
Both driver's and passenger side door linkages experiencing problems. *mjs
I just purchased the car on july 3rd and july 15th we had rain and now the whole inside of the trunk is flooded.
I think this car was wrecked before we bought it and the dealer knew it, at the time of sale. We were not informed of it and have just noticed it. No safety defect.
Vehicle misaligned, causing premature tire wear.
When driving approximately 5mph and turning a corner, the lower ball joint broke and the wheel fell off.also, there was no control of the vehicle. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.
Engine warning light illuminated.
No failure identified.
Nosummary listed for this vehicle..
Engine caught on fire while driving vehicle. Also, engine check light came on.
Dashboard lights inoperative.
Vehicle failed to accelerate, fluctuating between 40 - 20 mph.
Accelerator cable broke. Yh
While driving the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward, causing a collision.
On three separate occasions (twice while driving down the highway once on side street) my gas pedal pushed down under my foot and my car accelerated by it self. I had to have the mechanic disconnect the cruise control. Lucky no one was hit but it was close.
While making a right turn after being stopped at a red light, the throttle cable broke and the car was going as if it was on neutral, as i could not control the gas pedal anymore, and missed going in to the wall by only a couple of inches.
The defroster only defrosts half of the window. Please describe .
Thedriver's side window disengages from the tracks and falls into the door panel. Vehicle has been into the dealer on several ocassions who provided only a temporary remedy. Please give any further details.
The power window ondriver's side keeps coming off of the track, it hasbeen to the dealer 5 times for this, and still is not fixed.once repaired it will last for 3 to 6 months than the window will fall down into the door.
Failure of the windshield wiper, when driving in bad weather the passenger side windshield wiper does not go down, wiper stay in the center of windshield.
Consumer was traveling about 5mph oninterstate and was turning into his apartment complex,and driver's side tire fell off.two of the bolts were warped and broken off, and and/ rim were bent. There were no injuries.and dealership will be notified.
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